[WRC] News & rumours (part IV) 2016

[EstWRC]

some finnish friends can translate this? http://www.iltalehti.fi/ralli/2016110222555604_ri.shtml


as far as i understand from there the situation is pretty bad regarding available seats.

[Simmi]

Anyone also think that Malcolm Wilson had been so coy and reluctant to confirm his drivers for 2017 as he had info that VW could leave ? It appeared so obvious for months that it would be Tanak and Camilli, but Wilson just would not confirm..

I highly doubt he knew this was coming. If VW Motorsport employees didn't know I'm not sure how Malcolm would. I genuinely don't think this became a reality until the US settlement was sorted.

[dimviii]

this is the guy who interviews wrc drivers at stage ends.
Still wondering why sport is in such a low level?


Sébastien Ogier ‏@SebOgier ·

I feel so sorry for my fantastic team-We had 4 outstanding years!
Thanks for their passion&support!
Don't worry about me,we'll see us again



Colin Clark ‏@voiceofrally ·

@SebOgier you have been a wonderful Champ in VW colours and now you will go on to do what Loeb never did, win the title in different colours



sick dogs at all levels at this sport.

[Francis44]

^^ Loeb defense force is back on action .

[dimviii]

[dodge33cymru]

this is the guy who interviews wrc drivers at stage ends.
Still wondering why sport is in such a low level?


Sébastien Ogier ‏@SebOgier ·

I feel so sorry for my fantastic team-We had 4 outstanding years!
Thanks for their passion&support!
Don't worry about me,we'll see us again



Colin Clark ‏@voiceofrally ·

@SebOgier you have been a wonderful Champ in VW colours and now you will go on to do what Loeb never did, win the title in different colours



sick dogs at all levels at this sport.

I'm not sure what you're even getting at there, but Colin Clarke is a superb part of this sport and his enthusiasm and genuineness are a key part of it. I'd argue, in the world of WRC Promoter coverage on TV, he's one of the best and most passionate spokespeople this niche sport has left.

Unlike many people in his position across sport, he's not afraid to pick sides and call out the governing body, broadcasters and other parties when he disagrees with them and, most of the time, I agree with him (despite our political views seeming to differ wildly!).

So why shouldn't he message Ogier that he hopes to see him back next year? Whether you do or don't, it's good to see him being involved at every level, from broadcaster to fan.

[Mirek]

I'm not sure what you're even getting at there

That he was downplaying Loeb's achievements without a need to do so.

[Allez Andruet]

some finnish friends can translate this? http://www.iltalehti.fi/ralli/2016110222555604_ri.shtml

It's basically a Timo Jouhki interview:

- he says that timing of the announcement was the worst possible (well, that we already knew) as basically all contracts (for WRC teams) have already been signed or negotiated.

- according to Jouhki, Jari-Matti is "extremely disappointed" (I guess we knew that as well)

...but then the interesting points:

- he does not not believe (and if we keep in mind that it's Timo Jouhki speaking, there might be something else than pure belief behind it...) that Ogier would go to anywhere else than a "proven winning team, namely Citroen or equal to that". Jouhki's guess is, that if Ogier, for whatever reason, is unable to go to that kind of a team, he'll sit out 2017.

- Jouhki says that before anything can be done regarding Jari-Matti's situation, the legal work must be sorted out (contract with VW is still valid)

- when asked whether Toyota is an option for Jari-Matti, Jouhki just says that "it's hard to say if it's realistic or not" (whatever that means...)

- Jouhki also says (and this I don't believe one bit) that he "doesn't know" whether Tommi has made agreements with any other drivers than Hänninen.

[N.O.T]

this is the guy who interviews wrc drivers at stage ends.
Still wondering why sport is in such a low level?


Sébastien Ogier ‏@SebOgier ·

I feel so sorry for my fantastic team-We had 4 outstanding years!
Thanks for their passion&support!
Don't worry about me,we'll see us again



Colin Clark ‏@voiceofrally ·

@SebOgier you have been a wonderful Champ in VW colours and now you will go on to do what Loeb never did, win the title in different colours



sick dogs at all levels at this sport.

he is right but he should have written that Ogier was forced to change teams not doing it willingly, but we are talking about a scottish person in a pink scarf.

Loeb was the main reason Mcrae was forced to be the circus clown over at the USA when Loeb ridiculed him in the same car and made him look like a hand-less amateur, so you have to be compassionate for scottish people.

[Allez Andruet]

Weird that Makinen doesn't speak English well considering he worked with English teams for a decade(Ford-Boreham/Ralliart,Prodrive)...

I don't agree with this. Sure, he does speak English with a Finnish accent, but he's very capable of expressing himself in English.